Chemeketa Community College, Oregon’s largest Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), has been awarded a five-year, $3,497,045 grant from the U.S. Department of Education under the National Professional Development Program (NPD). This funding will support Project ABLE (Accessible Pathways for Bilingual Leaders in Education), a transformative initiative designed to recruit, prepare, and retain bilingual and multilingual educators.

The project will provide 202 bilingual teacher candidates with the support needed to succeed through accessible pathways to licensure, including stacked certificates, apprentice pathways, and alternative onramps. Through partnerships with George Fox, Linfield, Oregon State, Pacific, Portland State, and Western Oregon University, this funding will extend support through transfer and enhance the program's reach and impact.

“This federal grant will allow Chemeketa to build upon a decade of work to grow the number of bilingual/multilingual teachers in our region,” said Jessica Howard, Ph.D., President and CEO of Chemeketa Community College. “Receiving this competitive award resonates deeply with our commitment to living up to our role as Oregon’s largest Hispanic-Serving Institution and supporting our local communities.”

Project ABLE aims to address the critical need for diverse educators by offering early on-ramps to educational careers, along with inclusive, proactive advising, and strategic financial support. The initiative will serve at least 202 students, focusing on first-generation and Pell Grant recipients, creating opportunities for students to thrive in the education sector.

Karla Hale, Director of Education at Chemeketa, expressed excitement about the program's potential, stating, “We are thrilled about the possibilities this federal grant provides for Chemeketa’s education students and to build on long-term efforts to diversify our K-12 educator workforce by increasing the number of bilingual and multilingual teachers in our region. This competitive award supports our enduring partnerships with local school districts and universities that will shape the next generation of educators representing our vibrant and diverse communities.”

The grant is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's broader efforts to increase access to high-quality education, particularly for underrepresented students. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has highlighted the importance of multilingualism, calling it a "superpower" that benefits students both culturally and economically.

Through Project ABLE, Chemeketa’s Grow Your Own (GYO) Pre-Service Program will leverage its robust network of support to prepare candidates for teacher licensure, engage in critical research, and provide valuable insights into the role community colleges play in training the next generation of bilingual educators.